Motorcyclist killed in overnight crash in downtown Austin

A motorcycle crash in downtown Austin left one man dead and prompted authorities to close West Cesar Chavez Street for several hours early Tuesday.

The wreck happened near the Seaholm Power Plant and the Lamar Boulevard overpass just before 1 a.m., Austin police said.

The victim was a man in his 20s and medics pronounced him dead at the scene, Austin-Travis County EMS reported.

Austin police told KXAN-TV the motorcyclist apparently lost control of his bike, leading to the crash.

— Nolan Hicks, American-Statesman

NORTH AUSTIN

Police ID moped rider killed in collision

Austin police on Tuesday identified the driver of a Vespa moped who was killed in a collision last weekend in North Austin as 36-year-old Christopher M. Peterson.

According to a preliminary police investigation, Peterson was heading south in the 10700 block of North Lamar Boulevard around 1:20 a.m. Sunday when he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Toyota Corolla traveling north.

Peterson was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident to call police detectives at 512-974-5594.

Peterson in the 70th person to die on Austin roads so far in 2017, police said. At this time last year, police had tallied 73 traffic deaths.

— Roberto Villalpando, American-Statesman

NORTH AUSTIN

Police: Boy, 15, died after crossing I-35

A 15-year-old boy died after crossing Interstate 35 in North Austin on Sunday afternoon, according to details police released Tuesday.

Sajjad Zaid Alqassab was running across I-35 in the southbound lanes toward the northbound lanes near Parmer Lane when he was hit by someone driving a Kia Sorento, Austin police said. The driver stopped after hitting Alqassab, and police got the 911 call at 4:25 p.m., officials said.

Alqassab was taken to a hospital in Round Rock, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

This case is still being investigated. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Austin police’s Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8544.

— Katie Hall, American-Statesman

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

5 warned for trespassing with flyers

Texas State University police have issued criminal trespass warnings to five men suspected of posting dozens of unauthorized flyers and banners across university grounds on Sunday.

“The men, none of whom are enrolled at Texas State, were detained at the San Jacinto Parking Garage, where they had assembled after several of the handbills had been posted near the Music Building and in an area along the Quad,” police said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Authorities said the men were carrying flyers on Sunday when police questioned them. The men admitted to posting them around the campus, police said.

Police did not address the content of the flyers the men were carrying.

The university first began seeing a surge in racist flyers and banners posted throughout its campus in San Marcos shortly after the presidential election in November 2016. University police have increased foot patrols but have been unable to nail down those responsible.

“The warnings allow UPD officers to issue criminal trespass citations to the individuals if they return to campus,” police said. “Texas State is a safe environment, and UPD’s increased foot patrols make our campus even safer.”

— Mark D. Wilson, American-Statesman

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